Governance tools and integrated energy plans tackling energy poverty for cities in transition

Cities aim to be climate neutral by 2050. Public authorities have a crucial role in planning and implementing energy efficiency and sustainable actions towards the urban decarbonization and the energy targets defined by the European Commission. The analyzed dimension of city is due to the fact that 75% of the European citizens are living in urban areas and this percentage is expected to increase to 84% by 2050. Cities account for more than 65% of energy consumption and for more than 70% of CO2 emissions. Cities tend to be more unequal than their host nations and countryside. This thesis has the scope to identify energy transition tools and initiatives that can support decision makers to guarantee safe, equal, sustainable and competitive energy for cities and to play a crucial role in the energy transition process towards the climate neutrality. This research aims to examine the main European, national and local policies, the available governance tools and initiatives, such as the energy and climate plans (i.e. SECAPs) and energy communities, based on a multi-level governance approach, as effective measures to face the climate goals and to help decision makers to coordinate local stakeholders and implement medium-long terms actions. The research of governance tools investigates the development of citizenship’s engagement strategies, the formalization of Climate City Contracts, and the creation of One-Stop-Shops, where the role of citizens assumes priority by aiming at new scenarios of decarbonization and climate adaptation embedding social justice. The analyzed data allows defining operable strategic energy efficiency plans tackling energy poverty. The outcomes can contribute to renovate the trust between the decision makers and citizenship, basing on the awareness that the energy targets can be reached if we consider the city a complex system with co-shared responsibilities, where equity is embedded and no one is left behind.